There is nothing like a pleasant surprise to get the season started right. The September issue of V comes with a staggering special supplement that focuses on the cerebral beauties at Women & Supreme Management management. The lengthy portfolio by  Paul Rowland re-imagines 19 of the industry’s most captivating faces as pagans – complete with flowers, insects, slabs of serrated flesh and of course, blood. The end result is raw, hypnotic and about a thousand times more interesting than most of the covers we’ve seen this September. Seeing Alana Zimmer, Alla Kostromichova, Behati Prinsloo, Christina Kruse, Daiane Conterato, Darya Kurovska, Georgina Stojiljkovic, Hanne Gaby Odiele, Hannelore Knuts, Iris Strubegger, Isabeli Fontana, Meghan Collison, Mina Cvetkovic, Natasa Vojnovic, Ranya Mordanova, Rose Cordero, Suvi Koponen, Valentina Zeliaeva and Yulia Kharlapanova in this new light highlights not only the versatility of the girls but also the sheer reserves of talent that can be found at these two powerhouse agencies.

Suvi

Mina, Daiane, Valentina

Christina, Hannelore, Meghan

Iris

Hanne, Alana, Rose

Ranya

Yulia, Darya, Natasa

Behati, Isabeli, Alla

Georgina

V61 Special Edition Covers by Paul Rowland, backstage shot of Supreme/Women Girls from Supreme Management on Vimeo.

Cintia Dicker, Emily Fox with Supreme Management and Nataliya Piro with Women Model Management are the bathing beauties, the handsome lifeguard is Frederick Valentin at Front Management Miami. Pics courtesy of Greg Lotus. Casting by Julia Samersova.

On this balmy, beautiful day in New York, we give you some summery shots from the May Vogue Italia beauty supplement by Greg Lotus.

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If you still haven’t seen the CBS special on Anna, Grazia has video. And if you don’t have time to see it, read the best bits here on the Cut.

Nicola Formichetti posts the Uniqlo commercial for which he styled Agyness Deyn and Gabriel Aubry.

Calvin from Elite speaks to Jennifer Venditti about her new project with Coco Rocha.

MDC favorite Lakshmi Menon speaks about the lack of Asian, South Asian models (the Independent via the Cut).

JD Ferguson gets interviewed himself! Did you know he used to be an honest to god cowboy?

Michelle Alves blogs about her Met Ball experience. Her life is just a TEENSY bit more fabulous than ours.

Fashionologie has models at the Lifeball news. Amber, Anja, Kinga, Sessilee, Iris, Eliza and more all showed up.

If you missed our special interview with Rie Rasmussen whose film is at Cannes right now, click here to get a taste of this unique and talented beauty.

Jezebel has pics of the American Ballet Theater Gala. Check out Iman, Coco Rocha, Sessilee Lopez, Hilary Rhoda and of course Anna Wintour.

Before the Vogue covers, international campaigns and the “Stam” bag for Marc Jacobs, Jessica Stam was the girl next door in Ontario. Michelle Miller, owner of International Model Management scouted Stam at a coffee shop and Victoria’s Secret beauty Andi Muse at a shopping centre in Canada, changing their lives forever. In 10 days, on May 3rd 2009, the 15th annual Cover Model search by Michele in Barrie, Ontario, Canada takes place. The big NYC agencies (IMG, DNA Models, Women Model Management, Next Models NY, Elite New York, Ford Models, Wilhelmina New York just to name a few) will be there to participate and see Canada’s finest. Go to their site now to participate or see pics from last year’s event.

Snap of Stam by Michele in summer 2008. Pic courtesy of Michele Miller

Katrin Thormann! Though the Vogue Italia cover is always highly anticipated, anxious fans were kept awaiting just a little bit longer wondering who would grace the last issue of 2008. Women‘s new breakout star follows up her double girl November cover with an exquisite solo turn on the front of the Italian style bible. Meisel turns it out yet again with an impeccable shot of Katrin’s flawless beauty. The cover’s choice of model and text highlights that indeed fashion is moving forward.

Ph: Meisel for Vogue Italia December 08. With Women NY/Milan/Paris, Seeds Germany.

It’s here and it’s the ever so striking Viktoriya of the arresting ice blue eyes. Gloriously lensed by Steven Meisel. Hair by Guido, MU Pat McGrath, styled by Andrew Richardson.

Viktoriya/Women Model Management. Ph: Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia September 08, image from Women Management blog.

Because we know you want a peek… Full package coming on Monday.

Women S/S 09 package

Jourdan Dunn, cover Italian Vogue. Courtesy of Women Model Management.

Stylist: Lori Goldstein, Hair: Guido, Makeup: Pat McGrath.

Ph: Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia, July 08

Ph: Steven Meisel for Vogue Italia, July 08

In addition to Natasa V and Iselin for Mulberry and Rosie for Burberry, top 50 superstars Natasha Poly and Isabeli Fontana appear in respectively, Blumarine and Versace. pics and info via Women Management’s blog.

Natasha Poly for Blumarine. Ph:Craig McDean, stylist:Joe McKenna, hair:Christiaan, makeup:Lucia Pieroni. Shot in NY.

Isabeli Fontana for Versace. Ph:Mario Testino, stylist:Brana Wolf, hair:Orlando Pita, makeup:Linda Cantello. Shot in NY.

Ph: Craig McDean for Blumarine, F/W08

Ph: Mario Testino for Versace, F/W 08